Meet David CEEDs” Cedar | Music Journalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with David “CEEDs” Cedar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, why did you pursue a creative career?
It might sound cliché, but I’ve always been creative. My parents brought music into my life at a very young age. I began playing piano at three and drums at five. Of the two, I pursued drums and became intoxicated by jazz, exploring a wide range of subgenres, rhythms, and sounds.

When it was time to apply to university, I opted to take a business route. Studying at the University of California, Riverside, I selected business as my major on a whim. Upon arriving, I learned that UCR was immersed in electronic music. My passion for jazz quickly became a passion for electronic music. I jumped in headfirst, following my heart and exploring to find a home in the scene. I bought a controller and began DJing. I bought Ableton and began producing. I bought tickets to shows and festivals with the mindset of a student. I wanted to learn more about the music, specifically, house music. I wanted to learn about how to make a crowd move. I wanted to learn about the artists I care about.

Over the years, I found my passion is preserving art. I started my YouTube channel last year intending to catalog the stories of artists I look up to. Inspired by creators like Nardwaur and VideoGameDunkey, I spend forty hours researching, deep diving into artists’ careers, and editing fast-paced, meme-ridden, informational video essays. I’ve covered artists like Fred again, Knock2, and AATIG. I reached YouTube Partner in less than a year and I have so much more planned. I’m just getting started and the reception has already been amazing. Wherever I end up, I hope that I can share my knowledge and love while inspiring people along the way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m not going to beat around the bush, a career in the arts is not for everyone. In electronic music, there’s so much competition and constant undercutting. It takes sheer willpower with consistent self-care to not burn out. Over the past couple of years, I learned there is a place for everyone, including me! I realized my goal isn’t to become the next John Summit or Tiesto, rather, my goal is to pursue music journalism alongside DJing and making music. I want to be a tastemaker helping break artists into the scene.

Coming to this realization, I planted myself in a unique lane. I stopped comparing myself to others and just started creating. I began blogging for Saint Audio and, later, EDM Identity: writing up new music releases, reviewing live shows, and interviewing local artists. I launched my YouTube channel utilizing fast-paced storytelling: writing, recording, and editing informational yet meme-filled video essays. I released music videos, shot and edited by my talented friend Nikki Taylor.

Through all my efforts, I’ve learned what’s important to me is unapologetically being myself. I value making abstract, quirky content and music. It’s not for everyone and I love that. I thrive on people looking and me and thinking, “Wow, he’s weird… but he sure is going for it.”

I’m still early into my career and I wouldn’t give up this journey for anything. There are always peaks and valleys but I have to remind myself I’ve hit many major goals in the past two years. My YouTube and TikTok have reached more people than I can comprehend, I’ve DJ’d some pretty historic venues to amazing crowds, I’m making niche tunes that tickle my brain in all the right places, and I have my friends and family supporting me along the way. I have so much planned and so much more to accomplish. I’m thankful for the life I live and I can’t wait to keep sculpting my career. I’m just getting started.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is to not give up, keep creating, put yourself out there, and be weird. You never know who you’ll reach or who you’ll inspire.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One thing you should know about me is I’m a night owl. So friends, be prepared for many late-night adventures.

During the day, I’d start with museums Downtown. I recently discovered the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA hosts live radio shows presented by KCHUNG Public. I’d love to sit out, sip coffee, and catch up while listening to the DJs. At sunset, we’re heading over to Hollywood. First stop, Joe’s Pizza, the BEST pizza in Los Angeles, and next we’re hitting Sound Nightclub. Framework and Sound consistently bring my favorite House and Techno artists to Los Angeles. I hope all my friends can experience the insane sound system and light show at the venue. Afterward, we’re off to grab a quick bite at Angel’s Tijuana Tacos followed up by my favorite afterparty, Blind Tiger.

Sorry friends, we’re not getting home till at least 6 AM.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I couldn’t do this without my family and friends.

My parents, my brother, and my sister-in-law are core to my foundation. They’ve taught me so much from all things music to life lessons. They’re my rock and I can always count on them to make me smile and feel supported.

My friends at Soul Food Music Collective, an online Discord community of music producers from all around the world. They’ve taught me so much about music production and electronic music history. We’re all so passionate about different subgenres and it’s awesome to have a place where we can teach each other about the sounds we love.

Additionally, my friends who I go out with every weekend. I’m very thankful to have met a crowd with such similar tastes and I love that we’re always at each other’s shows.

Website: https://www.ceedsmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceedsmusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ceeds

Image Credits
sarasphotos hi.gunpowder marks_visuals martinmamangun